Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) questioned North Sumatra Governor Tengku Erry Nuradi on Thursday as a witness in a graft case involving a number of regional lawmakers.

KPK has arrested seven members of the provincial Legislative Assembly (DPRD) in the periods of 2009-2014 and 2014-2019, on charge of accepting bribe from former governor Gatot Pujo Nugroho.

Gatot, Errys predecessor, was already convicted in a related case bribing court judges and a House of Representative member Patrice Rio Capella from the Nasdem party in Jakarta.

"Governor Tengku Erry Nuradi is questioned as a witness as at that time he was the vice governor . The investigators believe he know much about the case," KPKs chief spokesman Priharsa Nugraha said here on Thursday.

KPK already investigated more than 140 witnesses and among them four lawmakers had returned the bribe money they received from Gatot.

The seven regional lawmakers arrested by KPK include Muhammad Afan, and Budiman Pardamean Nadapdap of the PDIP faction, Zulkifli Efendi Siregar of the Hanura faction, Bustami of the PPP faction, Zulkifli Husein and Parluhutan Siregar of the PAN faction and Guntur Manurung of the Demokrat faction.

In the same case, five suspects were already convicted by Jakarta special corruption court including the chairman of the North Sumatra legislative assembly for 2014-2019 Ajib Shah from the Golkar faction, chairman of the assembly for 2009-2014 period Saleh Bangun of the Democrat faction, deputy chairman of the assembly for 2009-2014 Chaidir Ritonga of the Golkar faction deputy chairman of the assembly for the 2009-2014 period Kamaludin Harahap of the PAN faction , deputy chairman of the assembly for the period of 2009-2014 Sigit Pramono Asri of the PKS faction and Deputy chairman of the assembly for the 2009-2014 period Kamaluddin Harahap.

Gatot Pujo has yet to stand trail in this case.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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